Magneto switch and bungee cords

[3Dreaming]

Having to jack it up and secure the gear, I wouldn't dare cut one w/o jacking if I go to that trouble, might as well change em all, at this point don't have a cherry picker

It can be done fairly easy without hoisting the airplane. All you need to do is figure out a way to hold the gear together.

[astjp2]

It can be done fairly easy without hoisting the airplane. All you need to do is figure out a way to hold the gear together.

Ratchet strap between the gear legs, have someone push up on the wing lift strut to push the gear together and then just cut off all of the bungee's. I also am the one who has the Jig to build the Tools from Dave Rude.

Also USE GOOD NEW RATCHET straps, if they break, you are in trouble.

[Hank Jarrett]

Fear of a ratchet strap failure is why I also use a hoist on the engine lift lug. Fear of lifting by the lug causing damage is why I use straps around the wheels (with a board to keep the straps from slipping off). Systems engineering includes safety engineering. I wear suspenders and belts.

Hank

[3Dreaming]

Actually friction from the tire should be enough to keep it in place long enough to cut the bungees off and get the first one back in place, but I'm not going to try it to prove it could be done. You could also make a short safety cable. Remove the first bungee, remove the safety cable, install the short safety cable, remove the second bungee, then reverse the order.

[Hank Jarrett]

Having seen a plane spread eagle when the tires started sliding outwards and the damage done when the safety cable popped off the center-line of the gear where the bungees go I would not try that, and frankly I wouldn't want to even be around again when it was being done. Once the tires start slipping outwards they slip faster and faster. The wheel comes up and hits the wing strut, putting a nasty bend in it and the wing tip hits the ground. I didn't see if there was spar damage at the fuselage side but would have expected it. Damage was pretty substantial. I wouldn't even consider not having a lift up front and tying the gear together......BOTH! In the case I saw the bungees failed sitting on solid ground and the plane dropped like a rock. It had just taxied in and shut down after a landing and was sagging a bit but was at a full stop when everything let go. It happened VERY FAST! The bungees were in BAD shape and I really don't understand how they had passed the last inspection. Didn't help that the owner was an A&P. It is really NOT that hard to make the plane safe for maintenance before cutting a bungee.

[astjp2]

My best friend says that you never trust a man who wears both a belt and suspenders...

[Hank Jarrett]

My best friend says that you never trust a man who wears both a belt and suspenders...

Maybe you heard it wrong. A man with belt and suspenders doesn't trust anything to be perfect. Failure is ALWAYS an option. You have to take positive measures to prevent it.